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Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Carbon Emissions and Their Influencing Factors for Tourist Attractions at Heritage Tourist Destinations

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  • Chengcai Tang

    (School of Tourism Sciences, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing 100024, China
    Research Center of Beijing Tourism Development, Beijing 100024, China)

  • Ziwei Wan

    (School of Tourism Sciences, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing 100024, China
    Research Center of Beijing Tourism Development, Beijing 100024, China)

  • Pin Ng

    (W. A. Franke College of Business, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA)

  • Xiangyi Dai

    (College of Resource Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China)

  • Qiuxiang Sheng

    (School of Tourism Sciences, Beijing International Studies University, Beijing 100024, China
    Research Center of Beijing Tourism Development, Beijing 100024, China)

  • Da Chen

    (Department of Urban Studies and Planning, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

Abstract

Carbon emissions play an important role in sustainable tourism development at heritage sites. The study takes the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area (WSHIA) as an example, and primary and secondary data sources are used to measure and estimate the carbon emissions of tourist attractions from 1979 to 2014. The temporal and spatial evolution of carbon emissions and their influencing factors for tourist attractions at heritage tourist destinations are analyzed. The results show that there are great differences in carbon emissions per visitor across the different types of tourism attractions at the heritage tourist destination, and there are significant monthly and interannual differences in the carbon emissions of the tourism attractions in the WSHIA. The main influencing factors include tourism seasonality, the rapid growth of China’s tourism market, and the rising popularity of heritage tourism. The spatial evolution of carbon emissions of the tourist attractions can be divided into three stages, and its main influencing factors include functional zoning and environmental regulation at the heritage sites and diversified evolution of the heritage tourist attractions. The findings of this study could enrich theories of low-carbon tourism and provide the low-carbon development measures of sustainable tourism in heritage tourist destinations for policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Chengcai Tang & Ziwei Wan & Pin Ng & Xiangyi Dai & Qiuxiang Sheng & Da Chen, 2019. "Temporal and Spatial Evolution of Carbon Emissions and Their Influencing Factors for Tourist Attractions at Heritage Tourist Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:21:p:5944-:d:280335
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    3. Rr. M. I. Retno Susilorini & Amrizarois Ismail & B. Y. Arya Wastunimpuna & Dhiyan Krishna Wardhani & Laurel Lia Nola Prameswari & Ardhito Hayyu Amasto & Agus Suryono, 2022. "Tourism Village Carbon Footprint after COVID-19 Pandemic: A Challenge to Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Rui Wang & Bing Xia & Suocheng Dong & Yu Li & Zehong Li & Duoxun Ba & Wenbiao Zhang, 2020. "Research on the Spatial Differentiation and Driving Forces of Eco-Efficiency of Regional Tourism in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Ying Zhang & Yunyan Li, 2023. "Regional Differences in Tourism Eco-Efficiency in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region: Based on Data from 13 Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.

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